Seating unit including modular stanchion

ABSTRACT

A seating system includes one or more seating units. Each seating unit includes a seat portion, and left and right stanchions attached to the seat portion on left and right sides of the seat portion. Each stanchion includes a bottom member having a first end adapted to be secured to a surface and a second end, and a second member having a first end adapted to be secured to the second end of the bottom member at any one of a plurality of different angular relationships.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY

[0001] The present invention relates to seating units and, moreparticularly, to seating units including modular stanchions.

[0002] Seating systems for educational, amusement, performing arts, andsporting events typically have various drawbacks. These drawbacks ofteninclude the need for large, one piece stanchion castings or permanentwelded steel stanchions each usable in only a limited number ofapplications. For different applications, different stanchions must beused, necessitating maintenance of a large inventory of parts. Moreover,the inventory of parts is typically of large parts.

[0003] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a pluralityof parts are adapted to interlock by means of unique shaped male tofemale connections in order to achieve multiple floor or riser mountingvariations as well as right hand, left hand, and intermediate stanchionconfigurations. A feature of an embodiment of the present invention isthe use of modular components. Additionally, a feature of an embodimentof the invention is the ability of components of the stanchion to beinterlocked and securely connected by means of a single bolt. Featuressuch as these are significant in that the stanchion can be produced bymanufacturing smaller common components and interlocking and connectingthem together in different configurations to produce a variety ofstanchion types.

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention permit resolution of severalproblems or limitations of existing chair stanchions. Problems overcomeby and benefits of embodiments of the present invention include:elimination of the need for dedicated one piece stanchion castings orpermanent welded steel stanchions by using a plurality of smallercomponents, which can be assembled together in different configurationsto produce a variety of different stanchions; easy conversion betweenright hand and left hand stanchions in the field; reduction of thenumber of components and space requirements for repair or replacementparts typically kept in inventory for performing maintenance onstanchions by using common components that can be easily disassembled ,replaced, and re-assembled by means of a single bolted connection;flexible design permits easy conversion of stanchions to differentslopes or mounting configurations and does not require completereplacement of the stanchion.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a seatingsystem comprises one or more seating units. Each seating unit comprisesa seat portion, and left and right stanchions attached to the seatportion on left and right sides of the seat portion. Each stanchionincludes a bottom member having a first end adapted to be secured to asurface and a second end, and a second member having a first end adaptedto be secured to the second end of the bottom member at any one of aplurality of different angular relationships.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, a family ofdifferent seating systems is provided, each seating system of the familyof different seating systems comprising one or more seating units. Eachseating unit comprises a seat portion and left and right stanchionsattached to the seat portion on left and right sides of the seatportion. Each stanchion includes a bottom member having a first endadapted to be secured to a surface and a second end, and a second memberhaving a first end adapted to be secured to the second end of the bottommember at any one of a plurality of different angular relationships. Foreach seating system of the family of different seating systems, thefirst end of the bottom member is different from the first end of thebottom member of another seating system of the family of differentseating systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The features and advantages of the present invention are wellunderstood by reading the following detailed description in conjunctionwith the drawings in which like numerals indicate similar elements andin which:

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seating system with a modularstanchion according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0009] FIGS. 2A-2C are side views of embodiments of modular stanchionsaccording to the present invention; and

[0010]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a modular stanchionaccording to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] A seating system 21 according to an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1. The seating system 21 includes one or moreseating units 23, each seating unit including a seat portion 25 and aleft and right stanchion or arm portion 27 and 29 on opposite sides ofthe seat portion (right and left designations are, for purposes of thepresent invention, determined from the perspective of one looking at thefront of the seat, not one seated in the seat). Each arm portion 27 and29 preferably includes a lower stanchion 31 and an upper stanchion 33 aor 33 b fixed to the lower stanchion. The lower stanchion 31 isordinarily secured to the floor, wall, or some other surface. The seatportion 25 is preferably pivotably secured to the arm portions 27 and 29and movable between a substantially horizontal use position and asubstantially vertical storage position. A suitable seat portion 25 isdisclosed in copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. ______(Attorney Docket No. 033625-004), entitled “Seating Unit IncludingSpring-Assisted Gravity-Fold Seat Mechanism”, Inventor Mike Nelson,filed together herewith, which is incorporated by reference. A seatingunit 23 ordinarily also includes a back assembly 34 attached to the armportions 27 and 29. A back assembly suitable for use in connection withthe present invention is disclosed in U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 033625-008), entitled“Seating Unit Including Back Assembly”, inventor G. Edward Huff III,filed together herewith, which is incorporated by reference. The upperstanchion 33 a may be identical to the upper stanchion 33 b or may beadapted for provision of, for example, a tablet arm such as is disclosedin copending U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. ______ (AttorneyDocket No. 033625-002), entitled, “Seating Unit Including FoldableTablet Arm”, inventor Michael L. Leighton, filed together herewith andwhich is incorporated by reference, or such as is disclosed in copendingU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. ______ (Attorney Docket No.033625-003), entitled, “Seating Unit Including Foldable Tablet Arm”,inventor Brian R. McLaughlin, filed together herewith and which isincorporated by reference. In addition, both upper stanchions may beadapted for provision of, for example, a tablet arm. For purposes ofdiscussion, however, the present invention will be described in terms ofa stanchion 29 with an upper stanchion that has no tablet arm, it beingunderstood that the description is also applicable to stanchions withtablet arms, except as otherwise noted.

[0012] As seen in FIGS. 2A-2B, for each stanchion 29, the lower orbottom member 31 has a first end 35 adapted to be secured to a surface Ssuch as a floor or a wall and a second end 37. The upper or secondmember 33 b has a first end 39 adapted to be secured to the second end37 of the bottom member 31 at any one of a plurality of differentangular relationships. The second end 37 of the bottom member 31includes a first hub 41 and the first end 39 of the second member 33 bincludes a second hub 43.

[0013] As seen in FIG. 3, preferably, the first hub 41 has one ofprotrusions 45 and the second hub 43 has recesses 47 adapted to matewith the protrusions on the first hub at different relative angularrelationships between the first hub and the second hub such that thebottom member 31 and the second member 33 b can be secured at thedifferent angular relationships. Of course, protrusions 45 orprotrusions and recesses may be provided on the second hub 43 for matingwith recesses 47 or recesses and protrusions on the first hub 41, orsome other suitable arrangement for permitting indexing of the first andsecond hubs at different angular relationships may be provided, such asholes in the hubs for receiving pins.

[0014] The bottom member 31 and the second member 33 b are preferablysecured relative to each other by a single fastener 49 such as a boltextending through the first hub 41 and the second hub 43. In addition, aboss 51 is preferably secured relative to the hubs 41 and 43 by thefastener 49. The boss 51 is preferably a part adapted for connecting theseat portion 25 to the stanchions 27 and 29. Bosses 51 may be providedon opposite sides of the hubs 41 and 43 for connecting seat portions onopposite sides of the hub where the seating system 21 comprises aplurality of adjacent seating units 23. Alternatively, a cover 53 (shownin phantom in FIG. 3) may be provided on one side of the hubs 41 and 43.The bosses 51 are preferably non-rotatable relative to the hubs 41 and43 and may be provided with surfaces having male and/or female portionsfor mating with corresponding surfaces on the hubs to prevent rotation.

[0015]FIG. 3 shows an embodiment wherein the same bottom member 31 andsecond member 33 b used to form a left stanchion 27 can be used to forma right stanchion 29 simply by switching the positions of items 51 and53. Preferably, the bottom member 31 and the second member 33 b of eachstanchion are identical. If desired or necessary, the first hub 41 onthe bottom member 31 may be provided with left and right surfaces formating with a surface on the hub 43 of the second member 33 b so that aleft or a right stanchion can be formed by attaching the second memberto either the right or left side of the bottom member. Similarly, whilealso not required, the second hub 43 can be provided with left and rightsurfaces for mating with a surface on the hub 41 of the bottom member 31so that a left or a right stanchion can be formed by attaching thebottom member to either the right or left side of the second member, orboth the hubs 41 and 43 can be provided with left and right surfaces formating with either left and right surfaces on the other hub.

[0016] As seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the bottom member 31 is preferablyadapted to be secured at least at one of a plurality of angularpositions between 90° and 180° relative to the second member 33 b sothat a surface 55 of the foot 57 at the first end 35 of the bottommember is flush against the surface S, regardless whether the surface ishorizontal, sloped, or vertical.

[0017] An armrest or an bracket 59 for securing an armrest is preferablyattached at the second end 61 of the second member 33 b. The armrest orbracket 59 may be pivotable between and adapted to be secured in one ofa plurality of positions.

[0018] The seating systems 21 according to the present invention arepreferably members of a family of different seating systems that differfrom one another in various respects but that have many interchangeablecomponents. For example, members of the family may use the same seatportion 25, wing 34, and second member 33 b, but have different bottommembers 31. As seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the foot 53 may differ in the bottommember of one seating system another seating system of the family ofdifferent seating systems by, for example, defining a different anglewith the rest of the bottom member 31.

[0019] Components of the modular stanchion according to the presentinvention can be made of any suitable material. For light weight andgood structural integrity, it is presently contemplated that structuralcomponents such as the bottom member 31, the second member 33 b, and theboss 51 will be formed of cast aluminum, and components having more of adecorative function such as the cover 53 will be formed of metal orplastic.

[0020] While this invention has been illustrated and described inaccordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that variationsand changes may be made therein without departing from the invention asset forth in the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A seating system comprising one or more seatingunits, each seating unit comprising: a seat portion; and left and rightstanchions attached to the seat portion on left and right sides of theseat portion, each stanchion including a bottom member having a firstend adapted to be secured to a surface and a second end, and a secondmember having a first end adapted to be secured to the second end of thebottom member at any one of a plurality of different angularrelationships.
 2. The seating system of claim 1, wherein, for eachstanchion, the second end of the bottom member includes a first hub andthe first end of the second member includes a second hub, the first hubhaving one of protrusions and recesses and the second hub having theother one of protrusions and recesses adapted to mate with the one ofthe protrusions and recesses on the first hub at different relativeangular relationships between the first hub and the second hub such thatthe bottom member and the second member can be secured at the differentangular relationships.
 3. The seating system as set forth in claim 2,wherein the bottom member and the second member are secured relative toeach other by a fastener extending through the first hub and the secondhub.
 4. The seating system of claim 1, wherein the bottom member and thesecond member of the left stanchion are identical to the bottom memberand the second member of the right stanchion.
 5. The seating system ofclaim 1, wherein the bottom member is adapted to be secured at one of aplurality of angular positions between 90° and 180° relative to thesecond member.
 6. The seating system of claim 1, wherein at least one ofthe left and right stanchions for one seating unit of the seating systemform at least one of a right and left stanchion, respectively, foranother seating unit adjacent the one seating unit.
 7. A family ofdifferent seating systems, each seating system of the family ofdifferent seating systems comprising one or more seating units, eachseating unit comprising: a seat portion; and left and right stanchionsattached to the seat portion on left and right sides of the seatportion, each stanchion including a bottom member having a first endadapted to be secured to a surface and a second end, and a second memberhaving a first end adapted to be secured to the second end of the bottommember at any one of a plurality of different angular relationships,wherein, for each seating system of the family of different seatingsystems, the first end of the bottom member is different from the firstend of the bottom member of another seating system of the family ofdifferent seating systems.
 8. The family of different seating systems asset forth in claim 7, wherein the first end of the bottom memberincludes a foot portion defining a foot surface for being secured to thesurface, wherein, for each seating system of the family of differentseating systems, the foot portion of the bottom member is different fromthe foot portion of the bottom member of another seating system of thefamily of different seating systems.
 9. The family of different seatingsystems as set forth in claim 7, wherein at least one of the left andright stanchions for one seating unit of the seating system form atleast one of a right and left stanchion, respectively, for anotherseating unit adjacent the one seating unit.